Side Dish

Whether you call them taco trucks, taco carts
or burrito wagons, know that a promising new one has begun parking
diagonally across from the Independent's office, in the former
Motorama lot at 304 S. Nevada Ave., from roughly 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
weekdays and 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Fridays and Saturdays.

Angela's Kitchen, run by Angela Avena,
serves authentic Chihuahua, Mexico-style tacos and burritos. Avena says
she grew up in her grandmother's eatery and has cooked for 17 years,
most recently with Sodexo. Avena says she makes everything, including
flour and corn tortillas, fresh daily.

Offerings include $3.99 breakfast burritos,
$5.50 lunch burritos and $1.75 tacos like tacos al pastor: pineapple-
and spice-marinated pork under cilantro and onions, which a co-worker
called "superb." Avena also offers a "puffy taco" option, or a taco
duro, essentially a deep-fried shell.

Wild in Pueblo West

Black Bart's Steakhouse may be open by
month's end or soon after at 224 S. McCulloch Blvd., in Pueblo West.
Named after the notorious 1870s and '80s stagecoach robber (and also
the nickname of owner Robert Demmler), the restaurant will serve dishes
made with as many local items as possible, nothing ever frozen or
microwaved, according to Robert's wife, Joy.

Expect daily caught, farm-raised fish from the
Department of Corrections' nearby fisheries, hydroponic tomatoes from
local friends, and in-season produce. The couple is still searching for
local aged beef.

Robert, a former livestock auctioneer,
packing-house worker and landscaper, will cut his own meat and grind
his own burgers, with help from chef Bill Muldrew.